AFMS member named Airman Of The Year for NCR

Staff Sgt. Derick Harris, (right), shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady after being named Airman of the year for the NCR.

Senior Airman (now Staff Sgt.) Derick R. Harris was named Outstanding Airman of the Year for the National Capitol Region. Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, deputy chief of staff, personnel, presented the award on behalf of the D.W. Steele Chapter of the Air Force Association, which sponsors the annual award, during a 23 March ceremony.

Airman Harris is assigned to the 11th Medical Group, Bolling Air Force Base, DC. He's the NCOIC for education and training, basic life support program director and emergency medical technician program director for the 11th MDG. Harris also served as self-aid and buddy care advisor for the 11th Wing. 

"Winning Airman of the year for the NCR was truly an honor for me," said Airman Harris. "It made me proud to be a member of the 11th MDG and the 11th wing. It was a great accomplishment not just for me, but for all members of the AFMS." 

Harris said winning the award felt like the rainbow at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.

"As much as I did last year, winning this award pushed me to want to do better this year," said Harris. "Not to win another award, but to show those who have lost faith in the system that hard work and dedication does pay off in the end."

AFMS members selected to Tops in Blue

Tops in Blue is designed to raise morale and entertain service members worldwide that many Airmen dream of getting into. Preparing for its 52^nd year, Tops In Blue has chosen this year’s performers.

With more than 100 entries, 67 semi-finalists were selected to audition at Lackland  Air Force Base, Texas, from March 6 through 15. The contestants performed vocals, instrumentals and dancing to make the final cut of 28. Of those making the cut, four were from the Air Force Medical Service. They are:

• Senior Airman Greg Butler - 1st Medical Operations Squadron, Langley, AFB, VA

Senior Amn Greg Butler

Airman Butler sang “Let Me Fall” by Josh Groban at the base talent show in November, and started his journey towards getting into the prestigious program.

The aerospace medical service journeyman, currently assigned to the Langley Birthing Center, applied to Tops in Blue late last year.

“It’s a life-changing experience,” said Airman Butler. “I get to go all over the world and help raise people’s spirits.”

He sent a tape of his performance at the base talent show to Tops in Blue. After they reviewed it, he was invited to the worldwide talent contest held in San Antonio for all finalists to determine who would join the team.

I love the Air Force and I love music,” said Airman Butler. “Being able to do both is just incredible.” 

• Senior Amn. Aisha Smith, 99th Aerospace Medicine Sq. Nellis, AFB, NV

Senior Amn. Aisha Smith

"This is my second year trying out for Tops in Blue,” said Airman Smith, who has been singing since she was a little girl. “Last year I auditioned and made it to the semi-finals, but didn’t make the final cut. I am very excited to be chosen this year.”

According to Smith, being chosen as a performer for Tops in Blue isn’t just about the talent. Performers also have to be mentally and physically ready to go on tour for a year.

“The entertainers can work from 15 to 18 hour days,” said Airman Smith. “This can be a lot of stress on the body, so we have to be prepared to handle this.”

Smith said she's excited about the hard work ahead  and she is looking forward to traveling all over the world.

“I have been in the Air Force for three years and have not been overseas yet,” said the Airman. "I am really excited about seeing other countries and I know it’s going to be a great experience.”

• Airman 1st Class Brook Hoffman, 81st Surgical Operations Sq., Keesler, AFB, MS

Airman 1st Class Brook Hoffman

  The 21-year-old medical technician is assigned to Keesler's labor and delivery unit.  Airman Hoffman will be a vocalist with “Tops in Blue” and possibly play the violin.

“At the audition, I performed vocal pieces as my main talent,” the Glenwood, Minn., native explained.  “I also played a classical piece on an electric violin. 

Hoffman has been singing since she was 5 or 6 years old. 

“I have a real passion for music," said Hoffman. "My mom would kind of put me in everything when I was young.”  

She sang with the church choir, performed for community events and was a soloist as a high school senior.   A violinist since age 10, Hoffman has also performed in community orchestras. 

“It’s a dream come true just being on stage,” Hoffman said.  “Giving back to the troops is an awesome opportunity.”

•  Senior Airman Clifton Nowell II, 89^th Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutics Sq,. Andrews AFB, MD.

(Additional information and photo of  Senior Amn. Nowell wasn’t available at release time.)